Horse owner faces animal cruelty charges

A
37-year-old man was arrested on animal cruelty charges after authorities
determined he was not properly caring for his five horses.

Joseph
Morris of Amite was booked into the Tangipahoa Parish Prison on one count of
aggravated cruelty to animals and four counts of simple cruelty to animals.

The Tangi
Humane Society reported one of the horses will not survive.

The
Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office said it received a complaint Saturday about
the condition of the animals.

Sheriff
Daniel Edwards said responding deputies found Morris had severely neglected the
horses, causing them harm and suffering.

Deputies
said he did not give any of the horses the necessary food, shelter or
veterinary care. They added the pasture where the horses were kept was muddy,
had little grass and there was no hay or feed.

Investigators
claimed the lack of concern was obvious based on the condition of the horses, the
property and one particular statement by the suspect.

"All
this over a horse," Joseph reportedly said to deputies during the
investigation.

TPSO said
Morris admitted he knew the sickest of the horses was malnourished and ill
before the humane society evaluated its condition, but did not try to get vet care
for it.